Jamala has been wowing audiences with “1944” since February. And it was no exception on Saturday when she took to the Ukraine’s Got Talent stage. The singer was a guest performer during the first live show of the programme’s eight season. And while this year’s series is all about the kids, Jamala didn’t hold anything back. In fact, this just might be her most affecting performance yet.
Jamala “1944” – Ukraine’s Got Talent
https://youtu.be/1GBQnk-U-io
Standing before a burning rose backdrop, identical to what we saw in the national final, she simply belted it out. In an empty stage, completely free from distraction, Jamala let her on point vocals do all the work. Utterly mesmerizing, it’s as if the song gets more emotionally charged with each rendition. In Amsterdam, the Eurovision singer told us that she wants to be both sexy and serious. Her on-stage look reflected that sentiment. Her knee-length black jacket brought the necessary gravitas, while the star-shaped adornments added some sparkle. Of course, this won’t be the outfit she wears in Stockholm. As we previously reported, she’s narrowed her options down to two very different dresses.
Once best known for “Smile”, Ukraine’s 2016 hopeful treated viewers to another song beforehand. You can watch her full set below.
Jamala isn’t the only one to take to the talent show stage in advance of her Eurovision stint. Ireland’s Nicky Byrne recently popped up on The Voice, while Austria’s Zoë and Russia’s Sergey Lazarev have appeared on local versions of Dancing With The Stars.
What do you think of the performance? Could “1944” be a dark horse to take the Eurovision 2016 crown? Let us know in the comments below.
@Previ, yes, they added some drive, you’re not mistaken. Today I realized what impact Jamala’ songs have on me. I’m the cobra who listen to flute. someone here (possibly haters) said earlier that Jamala can’t sing. she don’t have boundaries when she sing, she does not need to look like she tries hard to produce that sound, everything goes naturally and she enjoy playing with her power. is there many star singers who can cover Freddie Mercury songs with such passion? I don’t think so. Queen Tribute, Jamala – Somebody to Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xURg3fMu4Sc we truly blessed to have such a… Read more »
oh singing about the poor traitors. yeah yeah Ja you aint fooling anyone. Only the ones who dont know history.
Is it me or did they add a beat starting at 1:08?
This is the live version so I don’t think this is going to Stockholm since there is no live instruments (sad face because I’m a musician). Either way, both versions are awesome to me. Both really thought out and very musical. Jamala’s voice is awesome as always. My favorite!
did you knew that Milla Jovovich identifies herself as half-Ukrainian and she sing Ukrainian folk songs? here’s one 🙂
https://youtu.be/UFYMQPhIius
girl from Vacuum and BWO – Marina – also half-Ukrainian. and 2d guy is Pole. therefore they joked that BWO will participate in ESC for Poland (makes sense). Maybe someday BWO will do it for Poland or even Ukraine? would you be surprised if something like that happen? can BWO get a victory for Poland for example? what do you think?
btw, Jamala graduated as opera singer and then picked up jazz as her primary style. when she hits high notes with ease it’s because of her education and experience. and huge voice range of course 🙂
she used that tempo for 1944 in all live gigs lately, and these drums (maybe it’s because she plays with live band?). here on got talent she performed with her own band (and here in “Hate Love” also her band).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB6E94srH-Y
recently she performed for Ukrainian channel 112 (about one hour of live jazzy sound), 1944 also played in that drum version. so who knows.
She is incredible, but I agree that her semi final performance was just perfect, and she should just stick to that.
Ukraine has to finish in the top 5. Her talent is infinite! I hope in Stockholm she plays a lot with the lighting to great an even bigger emotional atmosphere!
The percussion doesn’t do 1944 any favours. Or Shlak Dodomu for that matter 😛
Jamala’s vocals are great as always (I understand that her voice is divisive, but it’s hard to argue that she uses it anything less than expertly), but looking forward to things coming together a bit more before Stockholm cos I still haven’t had the ‘winner’ chills yet. Not that it’s all about winning, but I’d love to see a good result!
My favourite is actually still the semi final performance, seemed the… angriest, saddest, most raw so far.
Hope this is not an official revamp, it would destroy the atmosphere of the song in my opinion.
But apart from that, yet again an amazing performance. She definitely still got a shot at victory.
The drum or guitar ruins a great song.
more political howling
Fashion´s police!!!! Miss Jamala you´re under arrest.
I personally don’t like this song very much but I would be very surprised if Ukraine didn’t reach the top 5 this year.
I’m having such a hard time with this song. I love the story- I love the atmosphere- I love the emotion.
I… just find Jamala’s voice kinda annoying
@Vlad I never been at Escnation before.. i think you are confusing me with another Henry.
I am not trolling, i just hate this song and that’s my opinion, i’m sorry that you cannot accept that but i am free to give my opinion even you don’t like it.
Ukraine deserves much more to win esc 2016 than Russia, her song is absolutly emotional and her voice…. OMG best vocals I have never listened¡¡
Go Ukraine my best wishes for you from Spain¡¡¡¡
correction: Russia 2016
This song is one of the best entries in ESC ever. If 1944 would win (I have a feeling it might just do it, certainly deserves to win) it would only benefit the image of ESC which is mostly known for structured empty pop ala Russia 2015.
@EugeneESCUK, thank you for your comments. Always with interest I read the detailed opinion. With this song, do not share the opinion, but in general, a lot of proper writing.
I do not like. Some burial song. Dizlayk. Ukraine made the wrong choice by selecting this song.
I DONT like this song…
I dont like this song. Its a bad version of Loreen. 43/43
@Henry i know you are troll from Escnation forum
…the more I listen to it, the more I love it!It’s been growing on me for weeks now.I keep listening to it! J’aime tellement cette chanson!
The more i hear this song the more i dislike it, really awful. (43/43)
This is gonna touch a lot of people on the night of the final. It won’t win but I wouldn’t be suprised to see Ukraine obtain 2nd place. This is one of those songs that Europe will really appreciate, but which the U.K won’t get and award 0 point haha!
The music revamp ruin the sad atmosphere behind the song, I don’t like this version. I have to say that, at first, I didn’t really like this song, but Jamala’s voice is absolutely marvellous and the message of the song is touching and important. Why can’t she win? She would deserve it for sure
Good song and singer, but song is for me to political for eurovision stage. She will get many points from juries and many points from some ex soviet countries 7 of 9, no points from Belarus and Russia , many points from people from west and turkish diaspora.
My prediction Ukraine 4 or 5 place in final, with juries in TOP 5, with televote in TOP 10 not in TOP 5.
S L A Y JAMALAAAAAAA!!
I don’t like the tempo…. Hope it’s not an official revamp….. Seemed too happy for how dark the song is.
That beard x’D
I love this song, but I don’t think Eurovision was ever won by such a dark entry. Nevertheless, I hope there’s a first for everything. Good luck, Ukrain!
Jamal
Wow. That woke me up. Great performance. The tempo seemed to be slightly faster than the national final performance had, but it seemed to work well. Jamala’s an incredible vocallist, so i hope she does well in Stockholm. x
Nina Kralji? also performed on The Voice of Croatia..